Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 6
Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift
यं विनिर्जित्य कृच्छ्रेण विष्णु: क्ष्मोद्धार आगतम् । आत्मानं जयिनं मेने तद्वीर्यं भूर्यनुस्मरन् ॥ ६ ॥
yaṁ vinirjitya kṛcchreṇa viṣṇuḥ kṣmoddhāra āgatam ātmānaṁ jayinaṁ mene tad-vīryaṁ bhūry anusmaran
When delivering the earth from the Garbhodaka Sea, Lord Viṣṇu, in His incarnation as a boar, killed Hiraṇyākṣa, who had appeared before Him. The fight was severe, and the Lord killed Hiraṇyākṣa with great difficulty. Later, as the Lord thought about the uncommon prowess of Hiraṇyākṣa, He felt Himself victorious indeed.
FAQs
This verse shows how Bali, after a hard-won triumph, began to think of himself as the true victor—illustrating how success can inflate ego and obscure the Lord’s higher purpose.
Śukadeva indicates that Viṣṇu’s descent is ultimately for cosmic welfare—protecting and restoring balance—regardless of how the demons temporarily interpret events as their own victory.
Even genuine achievements can breed arrogance; remembering that results depend on divine order and cultivating humility helps keep success aligned with dharma.